The course consists of one core module and three option modules, and a dissertation; this workload is spread out over 2 academic years, as opposed to one year for full time students. Over the summer, students will research and write their dissertations, under the guidance of an appropriate supervisor. Warwick has a long-standing presence in Venice and as such we can offer our students the opportunity to spend time there during term 3/summer, especially useful if your dissertation topic is (even remotely) connected with Venice. This represents an unusual opportunity to experience directly one of the Mediterranean’s great cultural crossroads and take (not for credit) modules, taught in English, in our partner institution, Ca' Foscari. Other destinations may become available in the near future, including Tours, in France. More detail about the Warwick in Venice campus HERE. Please note that students can choose to spend all of their study time at our Warwick campus, and not go to Venice at all, should this be preferable.

A series of skills sessions on Palaeography and research resources ('From Manuscript to Print'), currently offers training in reading Renaissance documents in English, Italian and Latin and helps students to acquire the skills necessary to undertake research and extended writing on the Renaissance. The Centre also offers a weekly seminar in Renaissance Latin in terms 1, 2 and sometimes 3. See our full language provision for any given year, HERE.

Students who are familiar with Latin can further hone their reading skills through a weekly seminar in Renaissance Latin offered by the Centre in terms one, two (and sometimes three) of either year. The Centre also encourages its students to take advantage of language classes offered at Warwick for example in Italian, French, German, Latin and will cover the cost for one such module, taken through the relevant language department, although not through Warwick's Language Centre.

There is also the option to audit other relevant modules, by arrangement.*

The part time course structure can potentially be modified to suit specific student needs, but this type of bespoke arrangement needs to be discussed with and agreed by, our Director Dr Teresa Grant (t.grant@warwick.ac.uk) and Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), Dr Rich Rabone (r.rabone@warwick.ac.uk) The typical course structure is thus:

Year One

Term 1: 1 x Option Module. Sample option modules can be seen HERE.

Term 2: 1 x Core Module Renaissance Culture and Society.

Year Two

Term 1. 1 x Option Module

Term 2: 1 x Option Module

Term 3: Dissertation

Assessment

There are no final examinations on the MA programme. Our aim is to develop your research and writing skills to the point where you are able to present cogent, complex and original arguments based on your research of images, buildings, artefacts, documents and other primary sources.

To this end, each individual module is assessed through essays. You will write four essays in total, linked to the modules that you have chosen to study. The four module essays (each of 5,000 words), and the extensive feedback you will receive for them, will equip you to write and research your dissertation.

During the Summer term (typically April-July) and over the summer vacation, students work closely with their supervisor on researching and writing their dissertation on a topic related to their studies on the course. During this time you will be requested to submit one chapter (literature review) at the end of year 2/term 2, and a further chapter in May. The dissertation, which is 15,000 words long, will be due for submission in September. You will receive close one-to-one tuition from members of staff to guide you through your programme of research and writing.

The final mark for the degree is calculated according to the following weighting: the dissertation is equal to one third of the mark; the four module essays together make up two-thirds of the mark..

*Auditing a module allows a student to take a class for which no assessment of the performance of the student is made nor grade awarded. A student who audits a course does so for the purposes of self-enrichment and academic exploration. This option is offered ONLY on a space-available basis with the approval of the class tutor / personal tutor or DGS.